Kennesaw State, Preston announce mutual separation

Mar 20, 2014 - 12:51 AM Kennesaw, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Kennesaw State and Lewis Preston have mutually agreed that he will not return as head coach of the men's basketball team.

The school announced the move Wednesday.

"I want to personally thank Lewis for his hard work and dedication as head men's basketball coach during the last three years," said Kennesaw State director of athletics Vaughn Williams. "There were several challenges upon Lewis' arrival. Priority number one was to greatly improve the academic and social culture of the program and I am very appreciative of the magnificent job that Lewis did in accomplishing this goal and the foundation he has put in place."

Preston took a leave of absence for medical and personal reasons in early January, and towards the end of that month the school announced that Preston would stay away from the team through the end of the season.

The Fighting Owls ended the season with a 6-25 record and went 3-15 in Atlantic Sun play.

Preston took over at Kennesaw State in 2011.

"I am extremely appreciative of Vaughn Williams and President Dan Papp for providing me the opportunity to become a Division I head men's basketball coach," said Preston. "During my three years at Kennesaw State, I received tremendous support from administration, faculty and staff, and I feel privileged to have coached a great group of young men. I wish those players and the Kennesaw State men's basketball program nothing but success as they move forward."